Printer solid ink transport and method

ABSTRACT

A solid ink delivery system for use with a solid ink stick for use in printers is provided. The solid ink delivery system delivers the stick to a melting station for melting the stick so that the ink may be transferred to media to form an image on the media. The delivery system includes a guide for guiding the stick in a prescribed path. The guide defines an inlet for receiving the stick. The inlet provides unobstructed passage of the stick through the inlet. The guide also defines a channel having a first end and a second end. The first end extends from the inlet. The channel provides unobstructed passage of the stick through the channel. The channel is adapted to contain a plurality of sticks in the channel. The guide further defines an outlet extending from the second end of the channel. The outlet provides unobstructed passage of the stick through the channel. The outlet is positioned below the inlet whereby only gravity is used to advance the sticks from the inlet to the outlet.

1. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Cross reference is made to the following applications: 1776-0091 titled,“Transport System for Solid Ink in a Printer”, 1776-0093 titled “GuideFor Printer Solid Ink Transport and Method”, 1776-0102 titled “Solid InkStick Features for Printer Ink Transport and Method”, and 1776-0133titled “Transport System for Solid Ink for Cooperation with Melt Head ina Printer” filed concurrently herewith which are incorporated herein byreference.

2. TECHNICAL FIELD

The printer described herein generally relates to high speed printerswhich have one or more print heads that receive molten ink heated fromsolid ink sticks or pellets. More specifically, the printer relates toimproving the ink transport system design and functionality.

3. BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART

So called “solid ink” printers encompass various imaging devices,including printers and multi-function platforms and offer manyadvantages over many other types of high speed or high output documentreproduction technologies such as laser and aqueous inkjet approaches.These often include higher document throughput (i.e., the number ofdocuments reproduced over a unit of time), fewer mechanical componentsneeded in the actual image transfer process, fewer consumables toreplace, sharper images, as well as being more environmentally friendly(far less packaging waste).

A schematic diagram for a typical solid ink imaging device isillustrated in FIG. 1. The solid ink imaging device, hereafter simplyreferred to as a printer 100 has an ink loader 110 which receives andstages solid ink sticks which remain in solid form at room temperatures.The ink stock can be refilled by a user by simply adding more ink asneeded to the ink loader 110. Separate loader channels are used for thedifferent colors. For, example, only black solid ink is needed formonochrome printing, while solid ink colors of black, cyan, yellow andmagenta are typically needed for color printing. Each color is loadedand fed in independent channels of the ink loader.

An ink melt unit 120 melts the ink by raising the temperature of the inksufficiently above its melting point. During a melting phase ofoperation, the leading end of an ink stick contacts a melt plate orheated surface of the melt unit and the ink is melted in that region.The liquefied ink is supplied to a single or group of print heads 130 bygravity, pump action, or both. In accordance with the image to bereproduced, and under the control of a printer controller (not shown), arotating print drum 140 receives ink droplets representing the imagepixels to be transferred to paper or other media 170 from a sheet feeder160. To facilitate the image transfer process, a pressure roller 150presses the media 170 against the print drum 140, whereby the ink istransferred from the print drum to the media. The temperature of the inkcan be carefully regulated so that the ink fully solidifies just afterthe image transfer.

While there may be advantages to the use of solid ink printers comparedto other image reproduction technologies, high speed and voluminousprinting sometimes creates issues not satisfactorily addressed by theprior art solid ink printing architectures. To meet the large ink volumerequirement, ink must have large storage capacity and be able to bereplenished by loading ink at any time the loader has capacity foradditional ink.

In typical prior art solid ink loaders, the ink sticks are positionedend to end in a channel or chute with a melt device on one end and aspring biased push block on the other end. This configuration requiresthe operator to manually advance the ink in the chute to provide spaceto insert additional ink sticks, to the extent there is capacity in thechannel. This configuration may be somewhat cumbersome for loading largequantities of ink sticks in newer, larger capacity and faster printingproducts, as the operator has to repeatedly insert an ink stick and thenpush it forward manually when loading multiple ink sticks in the samechannel.

Another issue is that the spring biased push block mechanism limits theamount of ink that can be stored in each channel. Extended capacityloaders with greater length require longer, higher force springs so thepush block mechanism can become prohibitably bulky and expensive.Closing an access cover in opposition to the greater spring force neededfor larger amounts of ink can be inconvenient or unacceptable to theuser during the ink loading process.

Further, constant force springs limits the quantity of ink sticks thatmay be placed in the chute as the spring biased push block takes spacein the chute that otherwise would hold additional ink.

Also, the spring biased push block pushes the ink from the back of theink sticks, which may lead to undesirable steering or reorienting of theink. Pushing larger sticks, particularly a longer stack of ink sticksfrom the back of a stick can lead to buckling and jamming of the.Jamming is more pronounced when there is high feed friction. To minimizefriction, a lubricious tape or similar non-stick surface is often used,adding additional cost to the product.

Also, the spring biased push stick mechanism limits printerconfiguration in the spring biased push stick is better suited for twoaxis ink stick keying, rather than one axis keying, as one axis keyingrequires prefers stick loading from the end of the chute that is moredifficult when spring biased push stick mechanisms are used.

4. SUMMARY

In view of the above-identified problems and limitations of the priorart and alternate ink and ink loader forms, a solid ink supply system isdisclosed herein that is adapted for use with printers.

In one embodiment, a solid ink delivery system for use with a solid inkstick for use in printers is provided. The solid ink delivery systemdelivers the stick to a melting station for melting the stick so thatthe ink may be transferred to media to form an image on the media. Thedelivery system includes a guide for guiding the stick in a prescribedpath. The guide defines an inlet for receiving the stick. The inletprovides unobstructed passage of the stick through the inlet. The guidealso defines a channel having a first end and a second end. The firstend extends from the inlet. The channel provides unobstructed passage ofthe stick through the channel. The channel is adapted to contain aplurality of sticks in the channel. The guide further defines an aoutlet extending from the second end of the channel. The outlet providesunobstructed passage of the stick through the channel. The outlet ispositioned below the inlet whereby only gravity is used to advance thesticks from the inlet to the outlet.

In another embodiment, a printer including a solid ink delivery systemfor use with a solid ink stick is provided. A printer includes an inkdelivery system for delivering ink for transfer to media to form animage on the media. The ink delivery system includes a guide for guidingthe stick in a prescribed path. The guide defines an inlet for receivingsticks. The inlet provides unobstructed passage of the sticks throughthe inlet. The guide also defines a channel having a first end and asecond end. The first end extends from the inlet. The channel providesunobstructed passage of the stick through the channel. The channel isadapted to contain a plurality of sticks in the channel. The guide alsodefines a outlet extending from the second end of the channel. Theoutlet provides unobstructed passage of the stick through the outlet.The outlet is positioned below the inlet whereby only gravity is used toadvance the sticks from the inlet to the outlet. The ink delivery systemalso includes a melt unit for melting the stick. The melt unit ispositioned adjacent the outlet of the guide.

In yet another embodiment, a method of advancing solid ink in a printertoward a melt station is provided. The method includes the step ofproviding at least one solid ink stick defining a longitudinal axis ofthe stick and an external periphery of the stick. The method alsoincludes the step of providing a guide for guiding a plurality of sticksthrough the guide. The method also includes the steps of inserting afirst stick into the guide and inserting a second stick into the guide.The method also includes the step of permitting the first stick and thesecond to advance unobstructed except as to each other through the guideto the melt station with the assistance only of gravity.

The ink delivery system for printers described herein uses a driver, forexample in the form of a belt, to advance the ink from the loadingstation to the melting station where molten ink can be transferred toone or more print heads. The many additional described features of thisink delivery system, which can be selectively incorporated individuallyor in any combination, enable many additional printer systemopportunities, including lower cost, enlarged ink storage capacity, aswell as more robust feed reliability.

5. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features of the printer described herein will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art from the following description with reference to thedrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a general schematic diagram of a prior art high speed, solidink printer;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of a solid inkdelivery system for delivering solid ink stock to a melting station forconverting the solid ink into liquid form for delivery to print heads ofthe printer;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the chute of the solid inkdelivery system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of an ink stick and the loadingstation of the chute of FIG. 7;

FIG. 5 is a partial plan view of another embodiment of the solid inkdelivery system with a chute that has a portion that extends underneathanother portion of the chute;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of yet another embodiment of thesolid ink delivery system with a chute that has a straight fixed anglewith the work surface of the ink printing machine;

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of a further embodiment of thesolid ink delivery system with a chute that is straight andperpendicular to the work surface of the ink printing machine;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the loading position of the chute of thesolid ink delivery system of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a partial plan view, partially in cross-section, of the solidink delivery system of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a further embodiment of thesolid ink delivery system with a chute that has a lower portion that isstraight and perpendicular to the work surface of the ink printingmachine and an upper portion pivotably connected to the lower portion;

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of the solid ink delivery systemof FIG. 10 showing the upper portion in a loading position;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a catch to use with the solid ink deliverysystem of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of a further embodiment of thesolid ink delivery system with a chute that is detachable from theprinter;

FIG. 14 is a plan view, partially in cross section, of a furtherembodiment of the solid ink delivery system in the form of a solid inkdelivery system with a chute having a linear portion and a curvedportion;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the ink stick for use in the chute of thesolid ink delivery system of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another ink stick with a guidancefeature for use with a further embodiment of the solid ink deliverysystem;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of an ink stick with an adjacent ink stickguidance feature for use with the solid ink delivery system;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a further embodiment of the solid ink deliverysystem in the form of a solid ink delivery system with a chute having afirst linear portion and a second linear portion;

FIG. 19 is a plan view, partially in cross section, of a furtherembodiment of the solid ink delivery system in the form of a solid inkdelivery system with a chute having a first linear portion, a curvedportion and a second linear portion; and

FIG. 20 is a flowchart detailing the basic steps of advancing ink in asolid ink printer.

6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The term “printer” refers, for example, to reproduction devices ingeneral, such as printers, facsimile machines, copiers, and relatedmulti-function products, and the term “print job” refers, for example,to information including the electronic item or items to be reproduced.References to ink delivery or transfer from an ink cartridge or housingto a print head are intended to encompass the range of intermediateconnections, tubes, manifolds, heaters and/or other components that maybe involved in a printing system but are not immediately significant tothe printer described herein.

The general components of a solid ink printer have been described supra.The printer disclosed herein includes a solid ink delivery system, and asolid ink printer and a method for incorporating the same.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a solid ink printer 202 is shown. The printer202 includes a solid ink delivery system 204 for use with a solid inkstick 206. The printer 202 includes the ink delivery system 204 fordelivering the stick 206 to a melting station where a melting unit 208is used to melt the stick 206. The ink in the stick 206 is transferredfrom a solid to a liquid and the liquid ink 210 is transferred to media,for example, a sheet of paper 212, by a drum 214 to form an image 215 onthe paper 212. The ink delivery system 204 includes a guide for guidingthe stick 206 in a prescribed path 218. The guide may be, for example,in the form of a guide or chute 216. The chute 216 defines a loadingposition 220 to permit the stick 206 to be placed into the guide orchute 216. The chute 216 is configured to contain and guide the sticksalong the feed path from insertion to melt unit

The chute 216 also defines a delivery position 222 adjacent to themelting unit 208. The loading position 220 is located above the deliveryposition 222. The stick 206 is slideably fitted to the chute 216 wherebyonly gravity advances the stick 206 from the loading position 220 to thedelivery position 222.

It should be appreciated that the chute 216 may have any suitable shapesuch that the sticks 206 fall by gravity from loading position 220, thatmay be positioned near, for example, the printer top work surface 224,toward the melting unit 208. The chute 216 may be linear or arcuate. Thearcuate portion may be comprised of a single or multiple arc axes,including continuously variable 3 dimensional arc paths, any combinationof which can be of any length relative to the full arcuate portion. Theterm arcuate refers to these and any similar, non linear configuration.For example the chute 216 may, as is shown in FIG. 2, be of a continuousarcuate shape defined by a radius R extending from the origin 226. Itshould be appreciated that origin 226 may be positioned anywhere withrespect to the chute 216 and that the radius R may be constant, or, asis shown in FIG. 2, vary such that the radius R may increase such thatthe chute is virtually vertical near the melting unit 208.

The chute configuration examples shown in the various alternativeembodiments are depicted as fully matching the ink shape at least in onesectional axis. The chute need not match the ink shape in this fashionand need not be completely encircling. One or more sides may be fully orpartially open or differently shaped. The side surfaces of the chute donot need to be continuous over the chute length. The chute need onlyprovide an appropriate level of support and/or guidance to complementreliable loading and feeding of ink sticks intended for use in anyconfiguration.

Referring now to FIG. 3, it should be appreciated that the chute 216forms a stick opening 228 in a suitable size and shape and to providefor the uniform movement of the sticks 206 down the chute 216 along thepath 218. To avoid cross loading or jamming of the sticks 206 in thechute 216, the sticks 206 may have an external periphery 230 whichclosely conforms with internal periphery 232 formed in the stick opening228 of the chute 216.

For example, and as is shown in FIG. 3, the sticks 206 may berectangular and the stick opening 228 of the chute 216 may berectangular and slightly larger than the sticks 206 to provide theability of the sticks 206 to fall by gravity down the chute 216. Forexample, and as shown in FIG. 3, the sticks have a stick length BL, astick height BH, and a stick width BW. The stick opening 228 of thechute 216 may be defined by a chute height CH slightly larger than thestick height BH and a chute width CW slightly wider than the stick widthBW.

Further to assure that the sticks 206 fall by gravity down the opening228 of the chute 216 and as is shown in FIG. 3, the bottom surface 234of the chute opening 228 may form an angle α with the horizontal planesuch that the force of gravity may exceed the coefficient of frictionbetween the sticks 206 and the chute lower surface 234 such that thesticks advance along the path 218 from the loading position 220 to thedelivery position 222. Friction values are not definite and will varybased on numerous factors of a given system, such as stick size, stickto stick interfaces, angle of travel relative to gravity and so forth. Alubricious tape or similar non-stick surface may be applied to thebottom surface 234 to minimize friction,.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the printer 202, as shown in FIG. 2, is acolor ink printer. The chute 216, as shown in FIG. 2, include a firstblack chute 240, a second cyan ink chute 242, a third magenta ink chute244, and a fourth yellow ink chute 246. The four ink chutes 240, 242,244 and 246 may each have their respective keys to provide for the entryof only the proper ink stick. The colors have been described in aspecific sequence but may be sequenced in any order for a particularprinter. Keyed insertion openings define which color will be admittedinto a particular color chute of the chute 216. It should be appreciatedthat the printer disclosed herein may be a black or mono-chrome printer.A black or mono-chrome printer may have a solitary chute or may havemultiple parallel chutes feeding the same color for the highest possiblecapacity. The ink chutes in a mono-chrome printer may likewise havegravity feed.

Referring now to FIG. 5, another embodiment of the printer is shown asink printer 302 which includes solid ink delivery ink system 304 that issomewhat different than the ink delivery system 204 of the ink printer202 of FIGS. 2-4. The ink delivery system 304 of FIG. 5 includes a chute316 which is different than the chute 216 of the ink delivery system 204of FIGS. 2-4. The chute 316 is similarly an arcuate chute and is definedby radius RR extending from origin 326. The radius RR may be constant ormay vary, for example, increase.

The chute 316, as shown in FIG. 5, has a path that crosses over itself,or in other words the upper portions of the chute 316 may be positionedover the lower portions of chute 316. Such a chute configuration such aschute 316 may be conservative of space. It should be appreciated thatthe chute 316 may lie in a single plane or in a plurality ofnon-parallel planes. In other words, the chute 316 may form, forexample, a spiral shape or a helical shape.

The chute 316 may have any size and shape and opening 328 of the chute316 may, for example, be rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, or haveany other shape. The size and shape of the opening 328 of the chute 316is preferably similar to the size and shape of the stick 306 to bepositioned in the chute 316 so that the stick 306 may freely fall bygravity down the chute 316 from the loading position 320 to deliveryposition 322 adjacent melting units 308.

Referring now to FIG. 6, yet another embodiment is shown as solid inkdelivery system 404 for use in printer 402. The printer 402 of FIG. 6,is similar to printer 202 of FIGS. 2-4, but includes a chute or guide416 that is linear, rather than arcuate. The chute 416, as shown in FIG.6, is linear or straight and extends from loading position 420 todelivery position 422 adjacent to a melting station where a melting unit408 and forms an angle αα with respect to work surface 424 of theprinter 402. The angle αα is dependent on the coefficient of frictionbetween solid ink sticks 406 and the chute 416 so that sticks 406advance in the direction of arrow 418 by gravity through stick opening428 formed in the chute 416. The angle αα is determined based upon thecoefficient of friction between bottom chute surface 434 of periphery432 of the chute 416 and the outer periphery of the stick 406. Frictionvalues are not definite and will vary based on numerous factors of agiven system, such as stick size, stick to stick interfaces, angle oftravel relative to gravity and so forth.

The chute 416 may include an end opening 448 through which the sticks406 are inserted into the chute 416. The end opening 448 may have ahinged clear plastic cover 450 to prevent improper objects frominadvertently falling into the chute 416.

The printer 402 may be a color printer and may thus have the guide 416include a black chute 440, a cyan chute 442, a magenta chute 444, aswell as a yellow chute 446.

It should be appreciated that the chute 416 may be fixed at the angle ααas determined by design to get the proper rate of fall of the sticks 406in the chute 416 or may include a device such that the angle αα may beadjusted or be preset to get the proper angle to get the proper gentlefall of the sticks 406 in the chute 416.

Referring now to FIG. 7, yet another embodiment is shown as printer 502.The printer 502 is similar to the printer 402 of FIG. 6, except that theprinter 502 includes a solid ink delivery system 504 that includes achute 516 that is straight and vertical. The chute 516 for the printer502, if a color printer, may include separate chutes for the fourrespective colors of the printer 502. For example, the chute 516 mayinclude a cyan chute 542, a magenta chute 544, a yellow chute 546, and ablack chute 540.

The chute 516 defines a loading position 520 positioned adjacent worksurface 524. The chute 516 also defines a delivery position 522 adjacentmelting units 508. It should be appreciated that the sticks 506 that arefitted into the chute 516 may be positioned or placed along the worksurface 524 in front of the openings 548 and advanced into the openings548 until they drop into the chute 516.

Several designs may be utilized to avoid having the sticks 506 falluncontrollably down the chute 516, become miss-positioned within thechute 516, break, or damage the melting units 508. It should beappreciated that a spring loaded device may be positioned in the chute516 that operates like a cafeteria food tray holder to cause the sticksto descend gently against the melting units 508 at the delivery position522.

Alternatively, the sticks 506 may be very closely fitted to therespective chute 516 such that the sticks are carefully guideddownwardly in the proper vertical direction. It should be appreciatedthat guides may be positioned in the chute 516, with features in thechute 516 to prevent the stick 506 from beginning its descent down thechute 516 toward the delivery position 522 until the stick 506 is fullypositioned in the chute 516.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the printer 502 is shown with the ink deliverysystem 504 including the loading position 520 shown in greater detail.The sticks 506 may be loaded adjacent the work surface 524 andpositioned into the chute 516 and a finger access slot 552 may beutilized to assure the proper decent of the stick 506 down the chute516.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the chute 516 of the ink delivery system 504 ofthe printer 502 is shown in greater detail showing the sticks 506 inposition from the loading position 520 to the delivery position 522adjacent the melting units 508. It should be appreciated that the sticks506 closely conform to the stick opening 528 formed in the chute 516 toprevent cross loading or mal-positioning of the sticks 506.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the stick 506 and the chute 516 of the inkdelivery system 504 of the printer 502 is shown in greater detail nearthe loading position 520 of the ink delivery system 504. To assure theproper solid ink stick 506 is placed in the chute 516, the stick 506 andthe chute 516 may have matched keying systems in the form of, forexample, bosses 536 located on the stick 506 that mate with recesses 538formed in the chute 516. The bosses 536 and recesses 538 serve to assurethat only the proper solid ink stick is feed into the chute 516. This isparticularly important in color machines where the improper color of inkstick should not be loaded into the wrong chute. The bosses 536 andrecesses 238 may be formed in a secondary component affixed to the chuteand may employ size, shape and keying features exclusively or in concertwith features of the chute to admit or exclude ink shapes appropriately.For convenience, the insertion and keying function in general will bedescribed as integral to the chute 516.

Referring now to FIG. 10, yet another embodiment is shown as printer602. The printer 602 is similar to the printer 502 of FIGS. 7-9 exceptthat the printer 602 has a solid ink delivery system 604 which utilizesa different method of loading the ink sticks into the ink deliverysystem.

The ink delivery system 604 includes a chute 616 which delivers thesticks 606 to the delivery position 622 adjacent the melting units 608.The chute 616 is a vertical chute but provides for a method differentthan the chute 516 of the printer 502 of FIGS. 7-9 for delivering thestick 606 to the chute 616.

For example, and as shown in FIG. 10, the load position 620 of the chute616 provides for a loader 652 which has a first loading position 654where the sticks 606 are loaded vertically downward into the loader 652.The loader 652 is then moved from the first loading position 654 asshown in phantom to the second delivery position 656 as shown in solid.When in the second delivery position 652 the sticks 606 are released byrelease lever 658 to drop into the chute 616.

Referring now to FIG. 11, the first loading position 654 of the loader652 is shown in greater detail. The first loading position 654 includesvertical openings 660 into which the sticks 606 are fitably positioned.The loader 652 is then rotated in the direction of arrow 662 to thesecond delivery position 656, as shown in FIG. 10, and the stick 606advances to the delivery position 622 adjacent the melting units 608.

Referring now to FIG. 12, the release lever 658 is shown in greaterdetail. The release lever 658 includes a pivoting link 664 which isconstrained by a spring 666 and, upon the positioning of the ink stick606, is released to drop in position in the chute 616.

Referring now to FIG. 13, yet another embodiment is shown as printer702. The printer 702 is similar to the printer 402 of FIG. 6 except thatthe printer 702 includes a solid ink delivery system 704 that includes achute 716 that is modular. The chute 716 includes a removable upperportion 769 that includes alignment rails 770 that slide into grooves771 formed in lower portion 767 of the chute 716 of the printer 702. Theupper portion includes an upper electrical connection 772 that mateswith a lower electrical connection 773 of the lower portion 767 of thechute 716.

Referring now to FIG. 14, yet another embodiment is shown as printer802. The printer 802 includes a solid ink delivery system 804 that has achute 816 that includes an arcuate upper portion 874 and a linear lowerportion 876. The arcuate upper portion 874 may extend from the loadingposition 820 to the transition position 878 located between the arcuateupper portion 874 and the linear lower portion 876 of the chute 816. Thearcuate upper portion 874 may be defined by radius RR extending fromorigin 880. The linear lower portion 876 extends from the transitionposition 878 to delivery position 822 adjacent melting unit 808. Thelinear lower portion 876, as shown in FIG. 14, may be vertical. Itshould be appreciated that the linear portion 876 may, alternatively, beangled.

The stick 806 for use in the printer 802 may be rectangular or may, asis shown in FIG. 14, be arcuate. The arcuate shape of the stick 806permits the motion of the stick 806 through the arcuate upper portion874 and the transition position 878 of the chute 816.

Referring now to FIG. 15, the stick 806 of the printer 802 is shown ingreater detail. The stick 806 has a width CBW and a thickness CBT. Thethickness CBT is defined by radius RR1 and RR2 extending from origin882. Radii RR1 and RR2 may be optimized depending on the shape of thearcuate upper portion 874 and the linear lower portion 876 of the chute816 of the delivery system 804 of the printer 802.

Referring now to FIG. 16, an alternate solid ink stick 806A is shown foruse in the printer 802. It should be appreciated that the solid stick806A includes a guidance feature 884A that conforms to a mating groovein the chute (not shown).

Referring now to FIG. 17, a solid ink stick 806B is shown for use inprescribed path 818 of the chute 816 of FIG. 14. The stick 806B includesa protrusion 886B at one end which mates with a groove 888B in theopposed end of the sticks 806B. The protrusion 886B and the groove 888Bserve to guide the sticks 806B through the chute 816 of the deliverysystem 804 of FIG. 14.

Referring now to FIG. 18, yet another embodiment is shown as printer902. The printer 902 includes a solid ink delivery system 904 which hasa chute 916 which is different than the chute 816 of the printer 804 ofFIG. 14. The chute 916 receives the sticks 906. The chute 916 includes afirst linear portion 974 that forms an angle ααα with respect to thevertical and a second linear portion 976 that forms an angle ββ with thevertical. The first portion 974 and the second portion 976 form an angleθ there between.

Referring now to FIG. 19, another embodiment is shown as printer 1002.The printer 1002 includes a solid ink delivery system 1004 which has achute 1016 which has three separate portions for advancing sticks 1006.The chute 1016 includes a first linear portion 1074 that extendsdownwardly from loading position 1020. An arcuate portion 1084 connectsthe first linear portion 1074 to a second linear portion 1076 thatextends downwardly to delivery position 1022. The first linear portion1074 forms an angle αααα with respect to the vertical, while the secondlinear portion 1076 forms an angle βββ with respect to the vertical. Thefirst linear portion 1074 and the second linear portion 1076 areconnected by the arcuate portion 1084 which defines an angle θθ therebetween as well as a radius RR extending from origin 1026.

Referring now to FIG. 20, yet another embodiment is shown as method 1100of advancing solid ink in a printer toward a melt station. The method1100 includes a first step 1110 of providing at least one solid inkstick defining a longitudinal axis thereof and an external peripherythereof.

The method 1100 further includes a second step 1112 of providing a guidefor guiding a plurality of sticks therethough.

The method 1100 further includes a third step 1114 of inserting a firststick into the guide and a fourth step 1116 of inserting a second stickinto the guide.

The method 1100 further includes a fifth step 1118 of permitting thefirst stick and the second to advance unobstructed except as to eachother through the guide to the melt station with the assistance only ofgravity.

The method 1100 may further include a guide which defines a longitudinalaxis of the path of the stick as it advances and the step of insertingthe stick into the guide may include inserting the stick into the guidein the direction of the longitudinal axis of the guide.

The method 1100 may further include a guide which defines a longitudinalaxis defining the path of the stick as it advances with the path beinglinear.

The method 1100 may further include a guide which defines a longitudinalaxis defining the path of the stick as it advances with the path beingarcuate.

Variations and modifications of the printer and method disclosed hereinare possible, given the above description. However, all variations andmodifications which are obvious to those skilled in the art to which theprinter described herein pertains are considered to be within the scopeof the protection granted by this Letters Patent.

1. A solid ink delivery system for use with a solid ink stick for use inprinters, said solid ink delivery system for delivering the stick to amelting station for melting the stick so that the ink may be transferredto media to form an image thereon, said delivery system comprising aguide for guiding the stick in a prescribed path, said guide defining:an inlet for receiving the stick, said inlet providing unobstructedpassage of the stick therethrough; a channel having a first end and asecond end, the first end extending from said inlet, said channelproviding unobstructed passage of the stick therethrough, said channeladapted to contain a plurality of sticks in said channel; and a outletextending from the second end of said channel, said outlet providingunobstructed passage of the stick therethrough, said outlet positionedbelow said inlet whereby only gravity is used to advance the sticks fromsaid inlet to said outlet.
 2. The solid ink delivery system of claim 1,wherein the prescribed path includes a first portion that is arcuate anda second portion that is linear.
 3. The solid ink delivery system ofclaim 1, wherein the prescribed path includes a substantial portion thatis arcuate.
 4. The solid ink delivery system of claim 1, wherein theprescribed path includes a first portion that is linear and defines afirst path axis and a second portion that is linear and defines a secondpath axis, the second path axis is not co linear with the first pathaxis and the second path axis forms an angle with the first path axis.5. The solid ink delivery system of claim 1: wherein the stick defines alongitudinal axis thereof and an external periphery thereof; and whereinsaid guide is adapted to closely engage the external periphery of thestick along the longitudinal axis of the stick.
 6. The solid inkdelivery system of claim 1, wherein the prescribed path includes a firstportion that is arcuate and a second portion that is linear.
 7. Thesolid ink delivery system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of saidguide is coated with polytetrafluoroethylene.
 8. The solid ink deliverysystem of claim 1: wherein the stick defines a longitudinal axis thereofand an external periphery thereof; and wherein the stick is insertedinto said guide in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the stick.9. A printer including a delivery system for use with a solid ink stick,said printer comprising a ink delivery system for delivering ink fortransfer to media to form an image thereon, the ink delivery systemcomprising: a guide for guiding the stick in a prescribed path, saidguide defining an inlet for receiving sticks, the inlet providingunobstructed passage of the sticks therethrough, a channel having afirst end and a second end, the first end extending from the inlet, thechannel providing unobstructed passage of the stick therethrough, thechannel adapted to contain a plurality of sticks in the channel and aoutlet extending from the second end of the channel, the outletproviding unobstructed passage of the stick therethrough, the outletpositioned below the inlet whereby only gravity is used to advance thesticks from the inlet to the outlet; and a melt unit for melting thestick, said melt unit positioned adjacent the outlet of said guide. 10.The printer of claim 9, wherein the prescribed path includes a firstportion that is arcuate and a second portion that is linear.
 11. Theprinter of claim 9, wherein the prescribed path includes a substantialportion that is arcuate.
 12. The printer of claim 9, wherein theprescribed path includes a first portion that is linear and defines afirst path axis and a second portion that is linear and defines a secondpath axis, the second path axis is not co linear with the first pathaxis and the second path axis forms an angle with the first path axis.13. The printer of claim 9: wherein the stick defines a longitudinalaxis thereof and an external periphery thereof; and wherein said guideis adapted to closely engage the external periphery of the stick alongthe longitudinal axis of the stick.
 14. The printer of claim 9, whereinthe prescribed path includes a first substantial portion that is arcuateand a second substantial portion that is linear.
 15. The printer ofclaim 9, further comprising a sensor to indicate the presence of a stickin the guide.
 16. The printer of claim 9: wherein the stick defines alongitudinal axis thereof and an external periphery thereof; and whereinthe stick is inserted into said guide in a direction along thelongitudinal axis of the stick.
 17. A method of advancing solid ink in aprinter toward a melt station, said method comprising the steps of:providing at least one solid ink stick defining a longitudinal axisthereof and an external periphery thereof; providing a guide for guidinga plurality of sticks therethough; inserting a first stick into theguide; inserting a second stick into the guide; and permitting the firststick and the second to advance unobstructed except as to each otherthrough the guide to the melt station with the assistance only ofgravity.
 18. The method of claim 17; wherein the guide defines alongitudinal axis defining the path of the stick as it advances; andwherein the step of inserting the stick into the guide includesinserting the stick into the guide in the direction of the longitudinalaxis of the guide.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the guide definesa longitudinal axis defining the path of the stick as it advances, thepath being linear.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the guide definesa longitudinal axis defining the path of the stick as it advances, thepath being arcuate.